EU tells countries to pause national social media bans for a year

The European Commission has told EU countries to put national social media bans for children on hold for 12 months. It wants a single EU law instead. Austria is the first country affected, and its plan to keep under-14s off social media is now frozen. Commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier announced the pause in Brussels on Thursday, as Eliza Gkritsi reported for Politico Europe. AFP also reported the decision.

“The Commission has decided to postpone for 12 months any draft national laws overlapping with the future harmonised rules.” Thomas Regnier, Commission spokesperson, to reporters

Austria’s government objected.

“It is unacceptable for Brussels to block member states from enacting national laws without presenting a completed European solution of its own.” Alexander Pröll, Austrian state secretary, to Politico Europe

Why Austria was first

EU countries must send draft technical laws to Brussels before they adopt them. Austria sent its draft on 28 July, according to the Commission’s notification database. It sets an age limit of 14 for video-sharing platforms and requires age checks. The Commission’s review period ended on Thursday.

Vice-Chancellor Andreas Babler told Politico Europe he had “no sympathy” for the delay. Vienna will keep preparing its law so the ban can start as soon as the pause ends, he said.

Other countries are in a different position. Greece passed its under-15 ban last week. Athens sent its law to Brussels before the EU proposal, so it will likely keep it, Politico Europe reported. The Commission has asked France to rework its draft but is not expected to block it, AFP reported, because Paris also notified early. France’s Constitutional Council struck down the first French ban in August. Drafts from other countries, including Italy, are still under review.

One law for 27 countries

The Commission proposed the EU Kids Act in September. It would bar under-13s from most social media and limit access for under-15s. Brussels wants one standard so platforms do not face 27 different age limits. It also fears countries will lose interest in the EU law once their own rules are in place, AFP reported.

The European Parliament and EU governments still need to agree on the Kids Act. Politico Europe reported on Tuesday that it may not take effect until 2028. Several capitals do not want to wait. Denmark is pushing ahead with its own law, Politico Europe reported. “The problems are urgent,” Danish digital minister Christina Egelund told the outlet.